The former Democratic National Committee chairman and former top adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton announced on Thursday that he'll make a second run for Virginia governor.
"I realize that after any election some people’s immediate question is about the next campaign. I want to be straightforward with you: I plan on running for Governor of Virginia in 2013," McAuliffe wrote in an email to supporters.

McAuliffe came in second to state Sen. Creigh Deeds in a three-candidate battle for the 2009 Democratic nomination. Deeds ended up losing in a landslide in the general election to then Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell.

McAuliffe's announcement comes as no surprise, as for months he's acknowledged his interest in making a second bid for governor, and in his email he touted that "over the past four years, I’ve traveled to every corner of Virginia for over 2,400 meetings and events."

"We welcome Terry McAuliffe to the Virginia governor’s race. He has a proven record of job creation and working across the aisle in the Commonwealth," said Colm O’Comartun, the executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, in a statement.

Sen. Mark Warner, who served as Virginia governor from 2001 to 2005, is contemplating a run for his old job. The first-term senator says he'll announce his plans by Thanksgiving. Virginia governors, by law, are not allowed to run for re-election, but can run for the office again in the future.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli are both making bids for governor, in what may be a contentious battle for the Republican nomination.

soundoff(2 Responses)

Bob has to be defeated on his record of his extreme right like his party: voters suppression and more. Republican party needs to be extinct. I am glad to see that Democrats are doing what is expected of them.